Sanjac

Battlegrounds and Battleships

by Larry Gore

The Battlegrounds, Battleships and Spaceships Ride Distance: 110 miles. Highlights: Noah’s Ark at Bacliff, The Kemah Boardwalk, Seabrook, San Jacinto Battleground, The USS Texas, NASA

Noah’s Ark – the outstanding view, lots of shade and good food has long made this a favorite spot whether you arrive by motorcycle, car or boat. Many local poker runs include Noah’s Ark because it is such a favorite with Houston area bikers.

Kemah Boardwalk – The Boardwalk has evolved from being a dining destination to being a full weekend destination. Restaurants include Landry’s, Joes Crab Shack, Cadillac Bar & Grill, The Crab House, Saltgrass Restaurant, The Aquarium – an underwater dining experience, The Board Walk, on the midway and you can even take a ride on the bay in “The Beast” – a customized open deck speedboat. Kemah Boardwalk is the site of a Jazz Fest on September 24-26, 2004. Rally goers who enjoy Jazz might want to make a visit. www.KemahBoardWalk.com.

Maribelle’s – Cross the bridge at Kemah and then make a hard right at the foot of the bridge. Maribelle’s is about 2 blocks in – you can’t miss the bright pink building. The deck overlooks the bay and is a well-known destination for area bikers.

For another well-known biker hangout continue north on 146 to La Porte. Exit Fairmont and turn left. Go about 3 blocks to 16th street and make another left. The Neon Moon Saloon is on your left. This place “packs them in” with live music, and an outdoor covered area for you and your bike.

Battlegrounds

San Jacinto Memorial and Battleground From La Porte go north on 146 to 225. West on 225 to Battleground Road (hwy 134) and north a couple of miles to the San Jacinto Monument.

The decisive battle in the war with Mexico for Texas Independence was fought, and won, at San Jacinto on April 21st 1836. The area is hallowed ground purchased with the blood of Texans who wanted independence more than they wanted life itself. This was the ground where they remembered the Alamo and where they made sure that the sacrifices at The Alamo, Goliad, and Refugio were not lives wasted.

In those few minutes of fighting almost a third of what would later become the United States changed ownership.

The San Jacinto Monument is the tallest war memorial in the world. The U.S. Congress helped to fund the San Jacinto Monument with the stipulation that it would not be taller than the Washington Monument. The Texans agreed and submitted plans for a structure slightly shorter than the Washington Monument. The Texans neglected to mention that the monument would be built on top of a 15-foot base making the total structure taller than the Washington Monument. Even back then the attitude was “everything is bigger in Texas”.

Battleships

The Battleship Texas Directly across the hwy from the San Jacinto Monument is the Battleship USS Texas. She is the only remaining battleship to have fought in both WWI and WWII. The USS Texas has been totally restored on the exterior and work has been going on for years to restore the interior to its original condition.

For a small donation visitors may tour the ship, wander up and down stairs and ladders and see the conditions under which our troops fought and won these two wars. It is hard to imagine that with a full complement of sailors and marines this ship carried thousands of men as she sailed into harm’s way.

This area is called Lynchburg Landing – for the free ferry crossing that is just north of The Texas. Hungry? The Monument Inn at the ferry landing is renowned for the seafood feasts that it serves. Don’t go unless you are really hungry because this is the kind of place where you might “hurt yo’ self”.

Spaceships

Go back to 146 south and make a left at NASA Road 1. East on NASA Road 1 watch for the Seabrook Beach Club on your left. A pool, an outstanding view of the Lake, food and a full bar will make this a place you can enjoy for a while. It is not unusual to see hundreds of bikes here on a good weekend – a good central location from which to enjoy all that the Kemah/Seabrook area has to offer.

Back east on NASA Road 1 a couple of miles will bring you to NASA and Space Center Houston.

Space Center Houston is a place where people can experience space—from its dramatic history and exciting present to its compelling future. Space Center Houston gives guests an out-of-this-world journey through human adventures into space.

Space Center Houston’s unparalleled exhibits, attractions, special presentations and hands-on activities tell the story of NASA’s manned space flight program. SCH is the only place in the world where visitors can see astronauts train for missions, touch a real moon rock, land a shuttle, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA. The admission fees to SCH is a good value. For more info 281-244-2100 or visit www.SpaceCenter.org

After SCH take NASA Road 1 west to Hwy 3. Head south on Hwy 3 to League City after about 3 miles cross Hwy 518 and then watch on your left for the “Mixed Nuts Ice House”. Stop here to mix with other bikers and enjoy one of the few authentic Texas Ice Houses that is air-conditioned. They accomplish this by having clear plastic strips that keep the AC in and still allow them to have the garage doors open.

Ronnie’s Ice House at Dickinson is another favorite watering holes for local bikers. From Mixed Nuts go south on hwy 3 to hwy 517. Right on hwy 517 for about 2 miles, cross under I-45 and you will find Ronnie’s on your left.

Leaving Ronnie’s (in case you missed Cruisers Ice House) go west on hwy 517 for a mile and a half and then south on hwy 646, stay on 646 at hwy 6 until you reach hwy FM 2004. Cruisers is at 9002, FM 2004. After enjoying the hospitality of Cruisers, a quick run east on FM 2004 to Hwy 6, south on 6 to I-45, cross the causeway, exit 61st. street and follow 61st to Heards Lane. A right turn at Heards Lane and you are back at Boudreaux’s! Now you deserve a break. Settle in on the deck at Boudreaux’s and watch the sun set – or rise.